Ed Miliband used his address to the Labour Party conference to sharply criticise Israel's conduct in Gaza and the West Bank, saying the humanitarian situation there represented a "stain on the conscience of the world".
Speech links condemnation of Hamas attack to criticism of Israeli policy
The Foreign Secretary acknowledged the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel as an act of terror, but stressed that that atrocity could not justify what he described as continuing abuses suffered by Palestinians. He set out a distinction between opposing threats to Israel’s existence and holding the Israeli government to account for its actions in the occupied territories.
“This suffering is a stain on the conscience of the world.”
In his speech Miliband said the Labour movement would oppose antisemitism “wherever we find it”, and stated the party would continue to recognise the threats facing Israel. At the same time he levelled sharp criticism at the policies of Benjamin Netanyahu’s government in the West Bank and Gaza.
Sanctions on settlers and diplomatic pushback
Earlier this month Miliband announced plans to impose sanctions on Israeli settlers in the West Bank — a move that prompted a strong reaction abroad. The US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, publicly accused the foreign secretary of “Jew hate” and criticised Israel’s response, while claiming the Israeli government had been turning a blind eye. The White House, however, did not formally condemn Miliband’s proposal, a development that was described by Miliband’s allies as a diplomatic success.
- Policy announced: Plans for sanctions on West Bank settlers.
- Foreign reaction: US ambassador Mike Huckabee accused Miliband of “Jew hate”.
- US administration stance: White House did not publicly condemn Miliband’s move.
Miliband said Labour would call out actions he characterised as ethnic cleansing by settler groups in the West Bank, would point to what he described as evidence of war crimes in Gaza, and would decry the long-standing occupation. He argued that words must be followed by action.
Domestic politics and party positioning
The speech also contained a clear message about Labour’s internal direction. Miliband contrasted his approach with that of Keir Starmer, suggesting the party under the new leadership of Andy Burnham had “reset” its stance on the Israel–Hamas conflict. He addressed those in the UK and beyond who had been moved by the plight of Palestinians, saying the party had heard their concerns and would respond.
He framed Labour’s position not as being against the people of Israel but against the actions of its government, signalling an attempt to balance solidarity with Israel’s security with criticism of its policies in the occupied territories.
| Actor | Position or Action |
|---|---|
| Ed Miliband | Condemned humanitarian situation; proposed sanctions on West Bank settlers |
| Mike Huckabee (US ambassador to Israel) | Accused Miliband of “Jew hate”; criticised Israeli government response |
| White House | Did not openly condemn Miliband’s move |
The speech has already provoked debate across diplomatic and political circles. Critics say such rhetoric risks alienating allies or inflaming tensions; supporters argue it is a necessary response to apparent breaches of international law and to growing public concern about the humanitarian impact of Israeli operations in Gaza.
Consequences and uncertainties
It remains unclear what form any sanctions on settlers would take, how they would be enforced, or what legal and diplomatic ramifications could follow. The absence of a public White House rebuke complicates the international picture, but the open criticism from the US ambassador to Israel shows how polarising the announcement has been.
Within Labour, Miliband’s comments signal a deliberate effort to reposition the party’s foreign policy tone at a time when public feeling on the Israel–Palestine conflict is strongly felt by many voters. Whether his approach will translate into concrete policy changes or further shifts in diplomatic relations will depend on forthcoming government decisions and international responses.
For now, the Foreign Secretary has staked out a robustly critical stance towards the Israeli government while reiterating support for Israel’s right to exist — a balancing act that will be closely watched both at home and abroad.
